Religijna socjalizacja młodzieży

Abstract

The author discusses religious socialization as a process of cultural transmission of religious heritage. Its goal is not to preserve the hitherto state of religiousness, but to shape a truly religious maturity based on a personal choice. Basing oneself on sociological research, mainly as regards general attitudes toward religious faith and morality, everyday and ultimate values, the author states that contemporary young Poles have considerably departed from the official teaching of the Church. This concerns especially the sphere of morality where selective approach to moral norms that can be derived from religion is most apparent. This state of affairs should be a challenge to intensify pastoral activities with a view to shape a mature religious personality. The author quotes a few guidelines addressed to pastoral care in the context of social and cultural plurality. The most important are the following: enhance groups and fellowships in which the individual may realize his or her needs as regards the development of religious life; the shaping of a proper hierarchy of values of the young generation; the teaching should include the subject and not only the doctrine; the shaping of religiousness in families which are the first subject of the socialization of religion; personal moral testimony of the priest and catechist.